Mortgage bankers say buyers borrowed $1.6T last year for home purchases, topping the 2005 housing bubble’s $1.5T. They expect another new record this year. LOS ANGELES (AP) – The fierce competition, low mortgage rates and soaring prices that helped raise mortgage borrowing to record heights last year is expected to drive lending even higher this

An analysis of “competitive” markets in 2021 projects that Tampa will be the hottest in the U.S. this year, with Jacksonville and Orlando close behind. ORLANDO, Fla. – An analysis of the 50 largest U.S. metro areas to determine “the hottest” (most competitive) for 2022 determined that Tampa was No. 1 in the U.S. To

Fla. tourism officials don’t think so, though a panel of state economists slightly lowered their six-month expectations for Canadian and overseas tourists. TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – A top Florida tourism official called the future of travel to the state “bright” and said there are no plans to slow marketing efforts, even with the rapid spread of

“Aspirational pricing” doesn’t work well in any real estate market. Buyers will risk a bidding war only if they first see some level of value. CHICAGO – The housing market is hot, but some homeowners overestimate how hot it is when they go to sell. Real estate professionals shared a few unrealistic expectations with realtor.com

FAU and FIU: The hot housing market appears to be cooling in the West, but for some reason eastern U.S. cities continue to see rising price levels. BOCA RATON, Fla. – According to researchers at Florida Atlantic University (FAU) and Florida International University (FIU), the housing market appears to be cooling in the American West

NOVEMBER 15, 2021 Share this article: FacebookTwitterLinkedInPrintShare NAR Economist Yun: Housing Market May Normalize in 2022 By Kerry Smith Forecasts always include caveats that may upend predictions, but NAR’s Lawrence Yun says the market is hot right now – and he sees more of the same in 2022. While next year’s sales may not surpass 2021

Note to Sellers Also Buying: A Closing Date Is a Closing Date By Meredith Caruso Some homeowners jumped into today’s hot sellers’ market, fielded multiple offers, got top dollar and signed contracts within 48 hours. At the time, they may have considered their next home selection “a bridge we’ll cross when we come to it.”

Home Prices a Reason to Rent? By Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy It depends on where you want to live, at least according to a new report that analyzed the top 100 U.S. metros. But no Fla. metros were in the top 10 overvalued markets. McLEAN, Va. – Should you buy a home now or wait? That depends on

How Hurricane Ida Will Affect Your Insurance Rates By Ron Hurtibise Experts say Ida will drive up rates for reinsurance, which is what insurance firms must buy to guarantee they can pay all claims after a disaster. That’s the pipeline that Hurricane Ida’s higher costs will travel to be passed on to Fla. insurance policyholders. FORT LAUDERDALE,

Large Lender to Offer In-House Appraisal Option On Oct. 1, United Wholesale Mortgage plans to roll out Appraisal Direct, a new option to work directly with appraisers. It will oversee the entire appraisal process. PONTIAC, Mich. – United Wholesale Mortgage has announced that it will offer an option to work directly with appraisers, a change